Falcons DT making case to stick around

[atljbo]

Falcons DT making case to stick around

Babineaux becomes unrestricted free agent at end of season

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Flowery Branch — Jonathan Babineaux doesn’t always get noticed.

The Falcons defensive tackle doesn’t have gaudy stats. He doesn’t dance after a tackle. He doesn’t even like to talk about himself.

Enlarge this image

Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Tackle Jonathon Babineaux is making a big impact on the Falcon defense, even though he doesn’t have the stats to prove it.

Most of Babineaux’s work is done in the trenches and even at 6-foot-2, 284 pounds he doesn’t always stand out.

“He’s elusive and is doing a good job of staying in the backfield,” defensive end John Abraham said. “A lot of times, what he does doesn’t show up on the stats, but it shows up on film.”

Babineaux has one sack and five tackles for losses. Baltimore’s Tyrell Suggs leads the NFL with four sacks and 5.5 tackles for losses, according to Stats Pass.

But it’s been Babineaux’s penetration into the offensive backfield that allows other players to get to the ball.

Against Green Bay, he chased quarterback Aaron Rodgers into Grady Jackson, who hasn’t more than one sack in a season since 2003. Against Chicago, Babineaux helped flush Kyle Orton into Jamaal Anderson for his first career sack.

“I think sometimes stats can be deceiving in a positive way and a negative way,” Falcons head coach Mike Smith said. “Jonathan doesn’t have the big, big numbers, but he’s played consistently for us on the defensive line.”

Babineaux started nine games last season for Rod Coleman. During the offseason, he heard talk about the Falcons drafting Glenn Dorsey and watched the parade of free-agent defensive linemen into the Falcons’ facilities.

Babineaux was undeterred.

“The new coaching staff wanted to see what I could do,” Babineaux said. “They probably had their eyes on other guys.”

The Falcons signed Kindal Moorehead, Rashad Moore and Simon Fraser as defensive lineman. As the season approached they re-signed Jackson, who split last season between Atlanta and Jacksonville. Moore did not make the team.

“From the get-go, coach told me the spot was mine until I messed up,” said Babineaux, who has started all six games this season. “That was pretty much it on that issue. I’ve just been going out there every week and trying to produce.”

Babineaux senses that things are going well.

“I’ve been getting a lot of attention with the things opponents know that I can do,” Babineaux said. “They are just trying to get me under control. But it’s opening up the door for people like Jamaal, Grady, Chauncey (Davis) and Moorehead to go out there and make plays with us.

“If I’m getting a lot of attention, then somebody else is free.”

Babineaux is not the prototypical defensive tackle. In fact, he’s rather small standing next to Jackson, who weighs over 350 pounds.

“He’s playing the run extremely well,” Smith said. “He’s penetrating and he can get on the edge on blocks. Even though he’s not a 300-plus defensive tackle, he has very good … center of gravity and he can stay on his feet.”

While the Falcons rotate their eight defensive linemen, Babineaux rarely comes off the field.

“He’s a guy who can go and play a majority of the snaps,” Smith said. “He’s the guy that’s got the most snaps on our defensive line.”

Babineaux has kept an even keel.

“It really doesn’t matter to me if I’m a starter or not, I’m going to go out there with the same mentality and that’s to dominate my opponent,” Babineaux said. “I wanted to show these coaches that were coming in that I could hold down that spot and that I could do a lot of things at that spot.”

Babineaux’s contract runs out after the season and he’ll become unrestricted free agent.

“I’m going to continue to do my job while I’m here,” Babineaux said. “What happens, happens, but hopefully I’ll be here for many years to come.”

[Tandy]

Way to go Babs! I hope they sign him again.

[bossFALCON™]

i think we'll resign him, most likely not to a huge contract though. babs has been playing really well for us this season.

[atljbo]

i think we'll resign him, most likely not to a huge contract though. babs has been playing really well for us this season.

I agree..... Babs is a good rotational player....... He will not command a big contract

[Big Zee]

He's been solid this year and really penetrates well into the backfield. Hope he sticks around and continues to play well.

[formul8or]

He makes some good plays, but if we draft a DT I won't complain if we let Babs go. He isn't a great starter, but a pretty good backup.

[Hokies&Falcons]

Falcons DT making case to stick around

Babineaux becomes unrestricted free agent at end of season

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Flowery Branch — Jonathan Babineaux doesn’t always get noticed.

The Falcons defensive tackle doesn’t have gaudy stats. He doesn’t dance after a tackle. He doesn’t even like to talk about himself.

Enlarge this image

Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Tackle Jonathon Babineaux is making a big impact on the Falcon defense, even though he doesn’t have the stats to prove it.

Most of Babineaux’s work is done in the trenches and even at 6-foot-2, 284 pounds he doesn’t always stand out.

“He’s elusive and is doing a good job of staying in the backfield,” defensive end John Abraham said. “A lot of times, what he does doesn’t show up on the stats, but it shows up on film.”

Babineaux has one sack and five tackles for losses. Baltimore’s Tyrell Suggs leads the NFL with four sacks and 5.5 tackles for losses, according to Stats Pass.

But it’s been Babineaux’s penetration into the offensive backfield that allows other players to get to the ball.

Against Green Bay, he chased quarterback Aaron Rodgers into Grady Jackson, who hasn’t more than one sack in a season since 2003. Against Chicago, Babineaux helped flush Kyle Orton into Jamaal Anderson for his first career sack.

“I think sometimes stats can be deceiving in a positive way and a negative way,” Falcons head coach Mike Smith said. “Jonathan doesn’t have the big, big numbers, but he’s played consistently for us on the defensive line.”

Babineaux started nine games last season for Rod Coleman. During the offseason, he heard talk about the Falcons drafting Glenn Dorsey and watched the parade of free-agent defensive linemen into the Falcons’ facilities.

Babineaux was undeterred.

“The new coaching staff wanted to see what I could do,” Babineaux said. “They probably had their eyes on other guys.”

The Falcons signed Kindal Moorehead, Rashad Moore and Simon Fraser as defensive lineman. As the season approached they re-signed Jackson, who split last season between Atlanta and Jacksonville. Moore did not make the team.

“From the get-go, coach told me the spot was mine until I messed up,” said Babineaux, who has started all six games this season. “That was pretty much it on that issue. I’ve just been going out there every week and trying to produce.”

Babineaux senses that things are going well.

“I’ve been getting a lot of attention with the things opponents know that I can do,” Babineaux said. “They are just trying to get me under control. But it’s opening up the door for people like Jamaal, Grady, Chauncey (Davis) and Moorehead to go out there and make plays with us.

“If I’m getting a lot of attention, then somebody else is free.”

Babineaux is not the prototypical defensive tackle. In fact, he’s rather small standing next to Jackson, who weighs over 350 pounds.

“He’s playing the run extremely well,” Smith said. “He’s penetrating and he can get on the edge on blocks. Even though he’s not a 300-plus defensive tackle, he has very good … center of gravity and he can stay on his feet.”

While the Falcons rotate their eight defensive linemen, Babineaux rarely comes off the field.

“He’s a guy who can go and play a majority of the snaps,” Smith said. “He’s the guy that’s got the most snaps on our defensive line.”

Babineaux has kept an even keel.

“It really doesn’t matter to me if I’m a starter or not, I’m going to go out there with the same mentality and that’s to dominate my opponent,” Babineaux said. “I wanted to show these coaches that were coming in that I could hold down that spot and that I could do a lot of things at that spot.”

Babineaux’s contract runs out after the season and he’ll become unrestricted free agent.

“I’m going to continue to do my job while I’m here,” Babineaux said. “What happens, happens, but hopefully I’ll be here for many years to come.”

How on earth can he be any good? He doesn't have the stats. Game Film? Bla, Game Film means nothing. It's all about those sacks and other stats...

[DerrtyBirdGirl]

way to go Babs!!! he wants to be here I say let him stay!

[SwaG FactorY EnT]

Babs has played well this year. Id be surprised if they didnt resign him, even if we get some stud to replace him he as the starter he would still be extremely useful when rotating defensive linemen.

[falconsd56]

How on earth can he be any good? He doesn't have the stats. Game Film? Bla, Game Film means nothing. It's all about those sacks and other stats...

your right his stats show he does not have athletic ability ....... I mean the one back he had the qb just sort of fell into him....

wait never mind sorry.

wrong person

[TheDirtyWordII]

I've been a big supporter of Babs now for the past 2-3 years. This is not the first year he's done a solid job of being a backfield disruptor, but nagging injuries and poor team performance have overshadowed his production.

I hope we sign him to a deal that is reasonable. I'm not sure what he could draw on the FA market, but I'd prefer to not let him test it.

[1989Fan]

i think Babs will get more money that some think.

He is a very good DT, has been good for us since day one.

[SWIFT HITTER]

How on earth can he be any good? He doesn't have the stats. Game Film? Bla, Game Film means nothing. It's all about those sacks and other stats...

Hookie I know your being sarcastic here but you can clearly see how Babs is making a impact on games and a guy like Anderson is not (outside last weeks game)

[blizzard_falcon]

Let's not forget that Babs was a 2nd round pick. Who coming out this season would really be better?

I think we need to draft a BIG NT to eventually place Grady, but Babs should be our starting UT for years to come.

[Interceptor430]

not that big, but big enough....and a good guy imho

[AAllInFlynn]

I've been a big supporter of Babs now for the past 2-3 years. This is not the first year he's done a solid job of being a backfield disruptor, but nagging injuries and poor team performance have overshadowed his production.

I hope we sign him to a deal that is reasonable. I'm not sure what he could draw on the FA market, but I'd prefer to not let him test it.

Agreed. He was the only consistent force during the Tampa game. Just so folks know, their trio of guards and center are being heralded as one of the best combinations in football right now.

[mashedpotato]

I saw somewhere earlier in the season where he was named one of the top two tackles in the NFC south.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Isn't this guy a dog killa? I'm just sayin.

[Shenanigans]

I agree..... Babs is a good rotational player....... He will not command a big contract

All of our d-line are rotational players under Smith's plans.

[SwaG FactorY EnT]

All of our d-line are rotational players under Smith's plans.

Yes they are. That is the exact reason I would be surprised if they did NOT resign him

[KRUNKuno]

Babs has been playing this way since he's been here. i think everybody loves tha effort he gives.

[fan since 1968]

Sometimes he reminds me of Rod Coleman.

[erica_bender]

He is a very good DT, has been good for us since day one.

agree

[nobkowski]

As the article says, Babs stays in the game more than any other dlineman. Tells me something.

[Magic Man]

hehe *penetrates*